http://onmilwaukee.com/rss/rss_markmetcalf.xml Milwaukee's Daily Magazine Mark Metcalf en-us Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:01:02 CDT http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://onmilwaukee.com/images/layout/rss_logo.png http://onmilwaukee.com 144 30 For a while, "An American Werewolf In London" was the most popular video to rent or buy in the world. That was before DVD's, in the long ago days of videotape, back in the mid-1980s. It is still worth a look for several reasons. First, because it was the film that forced the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to start giving an Academy Award for makeup design. And, it marked a big step for writer/director John Landis. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/americanwerewolf.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/americanwerewolf.html?20440 Sat, 10 Oct 2009 13:15:00 CDT Martin Landau has done just about everything there is to do in the show business. He started out in television when there was live television, as early as 1948. He was nominated three times for Oscars. He won once, for playing Bela Lugosi in the Tim Burton/Johnny Depp film "Ed Wood." Landau has been part of so many memorable moments in Hollywood and now he'll be part of the Milwaukee Film Festival. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/martinlandau.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/martinlandau.html?20330 Thu, 1 Oct 2009 07:07:00 CDT They haven't run out of popcorn or excellent movies at the Milwaukee Film Festival, which continues through the weekend at the Oriental Theatre on the East Side and Marcus North Shore Cinema in Mequon. If you haven't checked out any of the movies yet, OnMilwaukee.com film expert Mark Metcalf has some recommendations to help you plan your schedule. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/milwaukeefilmweek2.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/milwaukeefilmweek2.html?20310 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:25:00 CDT In this edition of the Screening Room, OnMilwaukee.com movie expert Mark Metcalf takes a look at a handful of movies showing at the Milwaukee Film Festival, which runs through Sunday, Oct. 4. One of the films Metcalf looks at is "Theater of War," which was produced by Whitefish bay native Jack Turner and stars Academy Award winner Meryl Streep (pictured). http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfscreenmilwfilm092609.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfscreenmilwfilm092609.html?20272 Sat, 26 Sep 2009 07:07:00 CDT It has been a long and difficult year, but the Milwaukee Film Festival is ready to rise from the ashes of its predecessor. Thanks to the hard work of Jonathan Jackson, Kyle Heller, TJ Fackelman and a board of directors that includes many of the smartest, most imaginative, active and important people in the community -- people with a deep passion for film, the creative world and Milwaukee -- this is a time to celebrate. The Milwaukee Film Festival opens today! http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/milwaukeefilmopening09.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/milwaukeefilmopening09.html?20245 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 05:15:00 CDT In this edition of the Screening Room, OnMilwaukee.com movie expert Mark Metcalf looks at "Amores Perros," a film by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, and "Spun," which features There are outrageous performances from actors like John Leguizamo and Brittany Murphy along with solid work from Mickey Rourke and Jason Schwartzman. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd.html?20220 Sat, 19 Sep 2009 09:55:00 CDT In this edition of the Screening Room, OnMilwaukee.com movie expert Mark Metcalf takes a look at the animated movie "9," which seems to pay more attention to video game marketing than plot line, and a documentary about Vogue and the world of high fashion entitled "The September Issue." http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/screeningroom9septissue.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/screeningroom9septissue.html?20163 Sat, 12 Sep 2009 11:35:00 CDT In this installment of the Screening Room, OnMilwaukee.com film expert Mark Metcalf looks at "Tulpan," the first narrative feature of a Kazakh documentary filmmaker named Sergey Dvortsevoy. "Tony Manero" is about a Chilean man who earns his meager living as a dancer but is trying to make it up and out of his existence by entering a John Travolta lookalike contest. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/tulpantonymanero.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/tulpantonymanero.html?20109 Sat, 5 Sep 2009 11:29:00 CDT South African director Neill Blomkamp based this movie on a short film of his called "Alive In Joburg." It has no known stars in it, unless South African audiences know them. Peter Jackson, who directed the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy and "King Kong," produced. That alone may be enough recognition to market the film to the broad audience that it deserves. The script is wonderfully layered, the concept both frightening and funny, with all kinds of political and sociological connections. The execution is great. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/district9.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/district9.html?19928 Sat, 15 Aug 2009 11:32:00 CDT In this edition of the Screening Room, OnMilwaukee.com movie expert Mark Metcalf takes a look at "Two Lovers," an elegant film starring Joaquin Phoenix, and offers his opinion on the famously awkward interview the star endured with David Letterman while promoting the film. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/twolovers.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/twolovers.html?19874 Sat, 8 Aug 2009 09:23:00 CDT In this edition of the Screening Room, OnMilwaukee.com movie expert Mark Metcalf weighs in on the Ben Stiller-directed comedy "Tropic Thunder," which features a brilliant performance by Tom Cruise (pictured) and the HBO series "Rome," which captures a good deal of the culture and the custom of Rome but creates suspicion that it is fabricated to make the show more appealing rather than actually researched and historically accurate. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/tropicthunderandrome.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/tropicthunderandrome.html?19808 Sat, 1 Aug 2009 13:27:00 CDT In this edition of the screening room, OnMilwaukee.com movie expert Mark Metcalf takes a look at two movies set in South Boston. "Boondock Saints" (pictured) features a tremendous performance by Willem Dafoe and a strong directing turn by Troy Duffy. "What Doesn't Kill You" has some nice moments, but the story is a bit predictable. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/southbostondvds.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/southbostondvds.html?19761 Sat, 25 Jul 2009 16:39:00 CDT A lot of men who grew up in the 1950s and '60s took their cues on manhood from movies. In this edition of the Screening Room, OnMilwaukee.com movie expert Mark Metcalf takes a look at some classics like "The Professionals," "The Magnificent Seven" and "The Wild Bunch," and what those films -- and the actors and characters contained within -- taught him about being a man. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/meninmovies.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/meninmovies.html?19710 Sat, 18 Jul 2009 14:03:00 CDT There have been plenty of "prequels" released lately, but not all of them make you want to dive deeper into the back catalog. OnMilwaukee.com movie expert Mark Metcalf has never been a "Trekkie," but after seeing "The Future Begins," he was inspired to increase his education about the Enterprise. "The filmmakers are having so much fun playing with time and with the history of their own pop-culture that I found it very difficult to remain a detached observer," he writes. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/startrekfuturebegins.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/startrekfuturebegins.html?19652 Sat, 11 Jul 2009 13:17:00 CDT Because the film was shot in Wisconsin, local pride will prompt many area residents to see Johnny Depp portray John Dillinger in "Public Enemies." The local pride angle struck OnMilwaukee.com movie expert Mark Metcalf, who says that the on-screen battle between the good guys and bad guys resembles a sporting event. Metcalf also searches for good and bad guys in the state's effort to become a hotbed for filmmakers. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/publicenemiesreview.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/publicenemiesreview.html?19575 Thu, 2 Jul 2009 11:36:00 CDT "Ice Age 3" it isn't really daring, doesn't strike out into uncharted territory. It is marketing magic and even though it is focused on making money, it means well. But, it's very funny much of the time. We saw it on Father's Day, and the air conditioning worked and the 3-D was better than it's ever been. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/iceagedawndinosaurs.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/iceagedawndinosaurs.html?19532 Sat, 27 Jun 2009 16:16:00 CDT We know from hundreds of movies about Kings and Queens that monarchs are surrounded by yes-men and servants, but seldom by ones that "speak truth to power." Mr. Brown appears to have been one of the few. Here are some thoughts on the 1997 movie "Mrs. Brown." http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd062009.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd062009.html?19442 Sat, 20 Jun 2009 10:12:00 CDT Thinking of renting a DVD this weekend? OnMilwaukee.com movie expert Mark Metcalf weighs on "Gran Torino," the film that stars Clint Eastwood, who also produced and directed. The film, about a working-class man in a working-class neighborhood, gets a working-class treatment from Eastwood, who is known for that blue-collar, lunch pail approach to making movies. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd061309.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd061309.html?19390 Sat, 13 Jun 2009 11:52:00 CDT Location can mean a lot to a film. It means almost everything to "Mongol." The vast, rolling plains with the vague outline of snow-capped mountains in the background; a solitary man, or three, on horseback, isolated in that huge panorama. There is enough drama in the landscape to make three movies. And this is just what Sergei Bodrov is planning to do. The Russian director is making a trilogy about the life of Genghis Khan. This is Part One. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalf041809.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalf041809.html?18848 Sat, 18 Apr 2009 06:08:00 CDT Thinking about renting a DVD tonight? OnMilwaukee.com movie expert Mark Metcalf weighs in on the 2007 movie "Grace is Gone," which showcases John Cusack, who is a local hero -- even though he's really from Chicago. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd030709.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd030709.html?18401 Sat, 7 Mar 2009 08:21:00 CDT Will Brad Pitt win a statue for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"? Will Frank Langella's portrayal of Richard Nixon carry the day? Can Sean Penn break through for "Milk"? What about Richard Jenkins (pictured in "The Visitor")? OnMilwaukee.com movie expert Mark Metcalf considers all the candidates for Best Actor and makes his selection inside. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/bestactor09.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/bestactor09.html?18237 Thu, 19 Feb 2009 11:33:00 CDT Thinking about renting a DVD this weekend? OnMilwaukee.com movie expert Mark Metcalf weighs in on the slacker/stoner hit "Pineapple Express" and a Pacino-DeNiro combination in "Righteous Kill." http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd020709.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd020709.html?18053 Sat, 7 Feb 2009 11:15:00 CDT OnMilwaukee.com movie expert likes to find themes in his DVD reviews. This one may seem a bit of a reach, but he pairs movie legend Al Pacino's effort in "88 Minutes" with the bucking bronco thrills of "8 Seconds," which stars Luke Perry of "90210" fame. Click inside to see which movie Metcalf preferred. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd10309.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd10309.html?17736 Sat, 3 Jan 2009 08:22:00 CDT it is a perfect time for a film like "Milk." And it is a nearly perfect film for the time. There is great performance by Sean Penn. Less of the operatic intensity of "Mystic River" and more of the whimsy and joy of "Sweet and Lowdown." But the seriousness of purpose is there. Sean Penn is the best leading man as character actor that we have right now. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/milk.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/milk.html?17517 Sun, 7 Dec 2008 08:27:00 CDT The movie "Eagle Eye" was released earlier this year but carries echoes of several previous films like "2001: A Space Odyssey," "North By Northwest" and "The Man Who Knew Too Much." The other movie in the screening room this week, "Three Kings," is relevant because it details the fight between good and evil at the end of the first war in Iraq. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd110808.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd110808.html?17213 Sat, 8 Nov 2008 10:15:00 CDT What happens in "Funny Games" is horrendous. And it happens unexpectedly. And it keeps happening. But, you never have to look at it. You have to look at the people who do it and to whom it is done, and you have to live with their reactions. It's not that it is relentless, but it becomes so horribly inevitable, that you can neither turn away nor watch. But you must. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd110108.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd110108.html?17133 Sat, 1 Nov 2008 07:13:00 CDT OnMilwaukee.com movie expert Mark Metcalf found "W." to be interesting, but not compelling. He left with more questions than answers and writes "The promotion of the film makes it seem as though it is going to be funny. It is in moments, but it can't sustain an honest emotion long enough to make a whole scene." http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfscreeningw.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfscreeningw.html?17077 Sat, 25 Oct 2008 14:10:00 CDT Brookfield Central alum Emily Downes' film "The Waiting Room," will play a central role in Milwaukee Film's debut show next week, provided high school students with an education in the hard work and collaboration necessary to make movie magic. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/milwaukeeshowpreview.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/milwaukeeshowpreview.html?16994 Sat, 18 Oct 2008 05:35:00 CDT With election season in full swing, OnMilwaukee.com movie expert Mark Metcalf talkes a look at the 2000 film "The Contender," starring Jeff Bridges, Joan Allen and Gary Oldman. He also takes a look at Eddie Izzard's cross-dressing hilarity in "Dressed to Kill." http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalf101108.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalf101108.html?16919 Sat, 11 Oct 2008 05:24:00 CDT In this edition of the screening room, OnMilwaukee.com movie expert Mark Metcalf takes a look at Robert Downey, Jr., in "Ironman," a rollicking good-time film with self-awareness, and Mel Gibson's "Apocalypto," which is ambitious but falls short. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd100408.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd100408.html?16817 Sat, 4 Oct 2008 05:30:00 CDT In this week's edition of the DVD Screening Room, OnMilwaukee.com movie expert Mark Metcalf samples a few light comedies. Metcalf found it hard to watch Mike Myers' seventh-grade humor in "The Love Guru," but loved the pacing and visuals in "Speed Racer." That is, until the latter film ran out of gas in the second hour. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd092708.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd092708.html?16705 Sat, 27 Sep 2008 12:23:00 CDT In this week's installment of the Screening Room, Mark Metcalf explores themes of mortality in two different pictures. He looks at "Wit" and "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" (pictured). http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd091308.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd091308.html?16532 Sat, 13 Sep 2008 05:29:00 CDT In this week's installment of the Screening Room, OnMilwaukee.com movie expert Mark Metcalf looks at a pair of documentaries: "In the Shadow of the Moon" and "No End in Sight." http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd090608.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd090608.html?16479 Sat, 6 Sep 2008 05:24:00 CDT It might be silly, but OnMilwaukee.com movie expert Mark Metcalf enjoys "Hamlet 2" because it shows real affection for the people and the effort. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalf083008.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalf083008.html?16392 Sat, 30 Aug 2008 05:24:00 CDT It might be a little early in the year for wearing flannel pajamas, but that doesn't stop our expert from considering the film of the same name along with "Out of Sight." http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd082308.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd082308.html?16332 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 05:20:00 CDT In the final installment of an exclusive three-part series, OnMilwaukee.com movie expert Mark Metcalf remembers the demise of the Milwaukee International Film Festival and what will follow. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/insidemiffpart3.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/insidemiffpart3.html?16283 Thu, 21 Aug 2008 05:23:00 CDT In the second installment of an exclusive three-part series, OnMilwaukee.com movie expert Mark Metcalf recalls the growing pains of the Milwaukee International Film Festival. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/insidemiffpart2.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/insidemiffpart2.html?16282 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 05:37:00 CDT In the first installment of an exclusive three-part series, OnMilwaukee.com movie expert Mark Metcalf writes about the growth of the Milwaukee International Film Festival. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/insidemiffpart1.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/insidemiffpart1.html?16281 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 05:40:00 CDT In this week's edition of the Screening Room, OnMilwaukee.com movie expert Mark Metcalf looks at "Becoming Jane" and "In Bruges." http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd081608.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd081608.html?16265 Sat, 16 Aug 2008 05:29:00 CDT Though the film may be a little overweight in the plot department, Heath Ledger turns in a really fine piece of acting. We will never know if it would have appeared as riveting if he had not died, naked, in the bed of a friend, trying to catch a little shut eye. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdarkknight.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdarkknight.html?16191 Sat, 9 Aug 2008 05:33:00 CDT Gas prices are so high that many people are opting for a trip to the local video store rather than a long drive to a vacation spot. Here are some recommendations from our expert, Mark Metcalf. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd080208.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd080208.html?16122 Sat, 2 Aug 2008 05:26:00 CDT "In the Valley of Elah" tells us over and over again that war, especially this war in Iraq, is insane and that it drives the young men and women who are entrusted with fighting it insane and can make them do mad, unforgivable things. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalf072608.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalf072608.html?16053 Sat, 26 Jul 2008 05:28:00 CDT In this installment, OnMilwaukee.com's movie "Maestro" takes a look at "Interview" (pictured) and "Reservation Road." http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd071908.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd071908.html?15962 Sat, 19 Jul 2008 05:26:00 CDT Stereotypes and cliches are fine when making a classic baseball movie like "The Final Season," but filmmakers shouldn't use capital letters when stating the obvious. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd071208.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd071208.html?15665 Sat, 12 Jul 2008 05:29:00 CDT "Jumper" has good effects, editing and the adrenaline rush necessary for a good action movie. The story, and a lame performance by Hayden Christensen, ruin the film. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd062108.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd062108.html?15664 Sat, 21 Jun 2008 05:29:00 CDT You don't have to be a football fan to appreciate the writing, acting and visual presentation of "Friday Night Lights." http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd061408.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd061408.html?15572 Sat, 14 Jun 2008 05:30:00 CDT The easy chemistry between Audrey Hepburn and Sean Connery is wonderful in "Robin and Marian." They bicker, they banter, they laugh and fall, exhausted, into each other's arms. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalf060708.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalf060708.html?15496 Sat, 7 Jun 2008 05:26:00 CDT The filming of "Public Enemies" is an important first step for Film Wisconsin and others dedicated to fostering movies here. But, there is more work to be done. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/wisconsinfilms060508.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/wisconsinfilms060508.html?15464 Thu, 5 Jun 2008 05:29:00 CDT Casey Affleck stars in "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford," one of two clunky titles up for review this week alongside "Sweeney Todd: Demon Barber of Fleet Street." http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd053108.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvd053108.html?15419 Sat, 31 May 2008 05:31:00 CDT Philip Seymour Hoffman excels at playing characters that are lonely, desperate, depressed, and highly dysfunctional. Most of the interesting characters in movies are like that. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvdhofmann.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/metcalfdvdhofmann.html?15345 Sat, 24 May 2008 05:29:00 CDT